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| Date: | May 13, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Susan Closmore | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5712 | | Contact Email: | susan.closmore@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| SENATE PASSES SENATOR HALL’S OMNIBUS BILL ON CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES |
St. Paul- Thursday, the omnibus drug bill, authored by Senator Dan Hall (R-Burnsville), was passed by the Minnesota State senate by a vote of 65 to 0. House File 57 contains provisions that address the growing danger of designer drugs and analogs, which are drugs substantially similar in effect or chemical makeup to controlled substances. Specifically, it makes it illegal to possess synthetic cannabinoids, known as "synthetic marijuana," "K2," or "SPICE,"and adds 2C-E, 2C-I, and analogs to the Schedule I list of controlled substances.
“With passage of this bill, the Legislature has made a strong statement about the seriousness with which they view synthetic drugs and the importance of protecting the people of Minnesota now and in the future,” said Senator Hall. “The new provisions are a critical step to get in front of the ever-changing challenges in fighting drugs and gives our law enforcement and courts increase support to bring the perpetrators to justice, and keep our communities safe.”
An additional provision in the bill deals with "bong water," and would specify in current law that the weight of fluid used in a water pipe for marijuana cannot be considered as part of the total possession weight unless it is four or more fluid ounces and conviction would be based for possession or sales of marijuana would be based on the weight of the actual substance itself.
Two amendments were proposed on the Senate floor and adopted, adding Mephedrone, currently sold as "bath salts" or "plant food," to the list of controlled substances, and moving up the enactment date of some of the provisions, allowing time for public awareness of the changes in the law, but addressing the danger of substances already readily available in stores and online.
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Senator Dan Hall (SD40) was elected to the State Senate in 2010. He is the Vice Chair for the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, as well as serving on the Health and Human Services and the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. He encourages and appreciates constituent input, and can be reached at (651)296-5975 and by e-mail at sen.dan.hall@senate.mn.
